[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING EDDIE HARMS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Smith) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nebraska 
Third District pilot, farmer, soil conservationist, and now 
centenarian, Eddie Harms.
  An extraordinary pillar of consistency in his southeast Nebraska 
community, Eddie turned 100 years of age on December 22, 2023.

                              {time}  1030

  Eddie and his wife, Millie, raised two children. He worked as a 
farmer and soil conservationist for more than 80 years, only recently 
selling his long-used Caterpillar bulldozer. He is known by neighbors 
for his dogged Nebraska work ethic, willingness to lend a hand, and 
deep sense of personal responsibility.
  Growing up with his 12 siblings on the family farm near Adams, 
Nebraska, Eddie said from an early age: ``We learned what we needed to 
do.''
  Demonstrating love for family, community, and the land throughout his 
life, Eddie exemplifies Nebraska values of stewardship, neighborliness, 
and conservation.
  Today, he lives in Syracuse, Nebraska, and continues to visit family 
and friends around the community. His daughter, Tanya, attests that he 
loves taking care of the land and being busy doing things.
  Eddie's character and contributions to his community are outstanding 
and highlight all that is great about small towns all across America.


            Recognizing Nebraska Agriculture Academy and FFA

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
efforts of Third District agriculture educators and the record-breaking 
number of FFA members in Nebraska and across the Nation.
  As the sixth State chartered by the National FFA Organization upon 
its founding in 1928, Nebraska FFA provides outstanding career growth 
opportunities, which build character and develop competence in our next 
generation of ag industry leaders who will feed and fuel the world.
  In public, private, and homeschooling settings, student interest and 
participation in FFA is at an all-time high. According to the Nebraska 
FFA Foundation, there were 10,454 student FFA members in Nebraska 
during the 2021-2022 school year.
  Despite a shortage of agriculture educators, the Nebraska Agriculture 
Academy is providing opportunities to students who are homeschooled and 
in remote communities where an FFA chapter may not be operating. 
Through supervised agricultural experience projects, these students are 
gaining hands-on experience to help our communities thrive, such as 
raising their own cattle herds.
  Through career connections and preparation to excel, FFA continues to 
be an outstanding opportunity for students. With 945,988 student 
members nationally, which is an increase of 11 percent from last year, 
the number of FFA student members and chapters across the United States 
continues to grow.
  The future of American agriculture is bright because our future 
farmers, ranchers, food scientists, veterinarians, product 
merchandisers, ag teachers, and others are eager to learn and grow.

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